Splash!

Xu Qi An quickly stripped off his clothes and leaped into the hot spring pool. The warm water enveloped him, soaking his limbs and allowing his muscles and bones to relax.

In truth, his kidneys no longer ached. With the regenerative abilities of his Third Rank physique, it only took a few hours for his kidneys to rejuvenate and return to peak condition. An ordinary person engaging in dual cultivation for two days and nights as he had would have died from exhaustion. Even masters of other cultivation systems would have suffered severe qi depletion, requiring days of recovery. This was where the advantages of being a martial practitioner shone through.

Seeing Xu Qi An return, Luo Yu Heng let out a relieved sigh, her expression of unburdened relief visible on her face. The former Luo Yu Heng would never have shown such dramatic emotional fluctuations…

“Ah, how can one enjoy hot springs without wine?”

Xu Qi An waved his hand, and from among his scattered clothes on the shore, the Earth Book fragment flew out on its own. He caught it and retrieved a jar of yellow wine from its space—a local specialty he had purchased while traveling through Fuyang County. Fuyang’s yellow wine was famous in the region, slightly sour with a touch of sweetness, and quite delicious.

“State Preceptor, care for a drink?” Xu Qi An said with a playful wink.

Luo Yu Heng’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “The Dao School forbids alcohol,” she said, her voice as cold and clear as ever, like the crisp clinking of ice.

“Drinking makes dual cultivation twice as effective,” Xu Qi An said with a mischievous smile. He had been intimidated by her “Wrath” personality and her “Desire” personality, but now facing this “Fear” personality, he decided to be a dominant Dao partner.

Luo Yu Heng considered for a moment before saying softly, “Let’s discuss this back in the room.”

“I want to dual cultivate here in the pool,” Xu Qi An insisted firmly.

Luo Yu Heng’s beautiful eyebrows immediately creased. She sank slightly lower in the water until it covered her smooth, white shoulders, leaving only her neck and face exposed. Her cream-like sensual red lips pursed slightly as she said coldly, “Since when did you get to make decisions about dual cultivation?”

For a moment, Xu Qi An almost thought the normal Luo Yu Heng had returned, nearly ducking his head to cry out, “State Preceptor, I was wrong!” Then he felt something was off—wasn’t this supposed to be her “Fear” personality? Shouldn’t she tremble at his slightest shout?

He carefully observed Luo Yu Heng’s expression and quickly discovered the truth. Unlike her normal state, her eyes now showed more resistance and unease. It couldn’t be resistance to dual cultivation with him—she had actively invited him for a session just this morning. And the unease seemed excessive, given they had been dual cultivating for three full days.

This was… resistance to behavior that defied social norms. Or rather, fear of it?

Xu Qi An understood now. To verify his guess, he boldly said, “State Preceptor, always cultivating in the room is too dull. Tonight, let’s use the sky as our blanket and the pool as our bed, and cultivate to our hearts’ content.”

The resistance in Luo Yu Heng’s eyes intensified. She frowned in displeasure and said, “How improper.” With that, she ignored him and moved to the other end of the pool, putting distance between them.

Interesting… Xu Qi An smiled.

Luo Yu Heng under the influence of karmic fire was quite intriguing. Unlike her usual cold and seemingly desireless state as State Preceptor, her seven-emotions state showed more humanity.

Her Anger state (the irritable aunt) was like an English teacher or a short-tempered aunt, quick to anger but quite adorable when teased. Her Desire state (mother’s friend) had transformed from an immortal maiden into a seductive demon, frantically seeking pleasure and showing passionate charm. And this Fear state gave him the impression of being “cautious” and “orthodox”—a Luo Yu Heng who was prudish about bedroom matters was inherently adorable. He tentatively labeled her: the bookworm female scholar.

The State Preceptor was truly exceptional—marrying her was like getting seven wives in one.

Through the steam rising from the hot spring pool and the hazy mist, Xu Qi An admired Luo Yu Heng’s alluring appearance, her cheeks flushed pink. She leaned against the pool’s edge, her eyes dreamy.

After a while, he swam over with the wine jar and stopped beside her, joining her against the pool wall. The enchanting beauty opened her eyes to glance at him.

“State Preceptor, there’s something I need to discuss with you,” Xu Qi An said, taking a swig of wine, his breath heavy with alcohol.

“Mm.” Luo Yu Heng’s brief nasal sound indicated she was listening.

“Currently in Yong Province City, there are Buddhist forces and Sky Mechanism Palace forces lying in wait. The Buddhist faction has sent an Arhat and two Vajra warriors this time. As for the Sky Mechanism Palace, they also have Third-rank combat power. I haven’t told you about the Sky Mechanism Palace organization yet…”

He first explained the Sky Mechanism Palace organization in detail, then revealed everything about the Buddhist faction’s cooperation with them and their plan to use the Dragon Qi host as bait.

Luo Yu Heng listened attentively, pondering, when she suddenly cried out angrily, “Remove your hand!”

In the pool water, a hand had traced along her back, brushed past her waist dimples, and slipped into her silk pants to grasp her peach-like bottom.

“It’s not like I haven’t touched it before,” Xu Qi An muttered.

“Say that again,” Luo Yu Heng said, emanating killing intent.

You’re not acting very “fearful” right now… Xu Qi An withdrew his hand and gently embraced Luo Yu Heng’s slender waist, saying, “State Preceptor, I plan to turn their strategy against them and capture the Arhat. Force him to remove the Demon Sealing Nail and restore part of your cultivation.”

Luo Yu Heng thought for a long while before shaking her head: “I can help you, but I’m still in the karmic fire state, which isn’t ideal. Moreover, given the vast difference in combat power between us and them, I don’t recommend this course of action.”

“Mmm ah~ Have my words lost their effect? Would you believe me if I said I’d cut off your hand with one sword strike?”

Her red lips parted to release a sweet nasal sound, then she flew into a rage.

Xu Qi An silently withdrew his hand and said, “Two Third Rank cultivators from the Heaven Sect will arrive in Yong Province City soon. If we could join forces with them, plus Sun Xuan Ji, would that give us absolute certainty?”

Luo Yu Heng’s cheeks were flushed as if drunk. She glared at him once before responding in a steady tone: “Looking at it that way, our chances would be quite good, but I’m still affected by the karmic fire. If I were to suffer karmic fire backlash during battle, the consequences would be unthinkable.”

Xu Qi An tensed: “What are the odds of karmic fire backlash?”

Luo Yu Heng considered briefly before assessing, “If we cultivate properly, the chance of karmic fire backlash would be less than five percent. So to be safe, let’s wait until seven days have passed.”

Less than five percent… means a ninety-eight percent chance of death when rounded up. Xu Qi An nearly choked on his words.

Never mind, I won’t discuss this with today’s you. You’re too cautious today.

Fearful of risks.

Luo Yu Heng glanced at the sky before rising, saying, “I’ll head back first.”

Xu Qi An grabbed her wrist. “State Preceptor…”

The female State Preceptor cast him a disdainful look, then got out of the pool on her own, put on her robe, and returned to the bedroom.

Xu Qi An didn’t try to keep her. He soaked in the hot spring, half-floating, half-sitting, with his eyes closed in false sleep.

Time passed unknowingly until he suddenly heard Luo Yu Heng’s ice-cold voice beside his ear, tinged with gritted teeth: “If I hadn’t come looking for you, were you planning to spend the whole night here?”

Xu Qi An opened his eyes with a feigned apology, saying, “I fell asleep.”

Luo Yu Heng snorted, saying, “Let’s go back.”

Xu Qi An didn’t move.

One stood on the shore looking down, while the other played dumb in the pool. They remained at an impasse for a long while, neither willing to yield.

Splash!

Water splashed as Luo Yu Heng was pulled into the pool.

Xu Qi An cupped her face and forcefully kissed her sensual red lips. Her cheeks gradually grew burning hot, though her lips remained cool.

After a long while, Xu Qi An finally raised his head to gaze intently at the beauty before him.

Her eyes were long and round, with slightly upturned corners, her eyebrows long and straight, her nose elegant yet delicate, her lips full, and the corners of her mouth as exquisite as if carved.

Her features combined the gentleness of Central Plains people with the three-dimensional refinement of sculpture.

Xu Qi An sighed softly: “You’re so beautiful.”

Luo Yu Heng turned her face away, saying through gritted teeth, “I might as well kill you with one sword strike and be done with it.”

Xu Qi An laughed.

This was her “Fear” personality, different from her “Wrath” personality. The “Wrath” personality truly didn’t want to dual cultivate with him.

But this one, no matter how much she resisted in her heart, would ultimately submit obediently. Different personalities have different weaknesses.

Xu Qi An’s muscular waist pressed between two white python-like legs, and soon, ripples spread across the hot spring’s surface. As the ripples spread, robes, silk pants, and undershirts… floated on the water’s surface, drifting with the waves.

An hour later, Luo Yu Heng lay languidly against the shore, half her body submerged in the hot spring, her jade back gleaming white.

Xu Qi An was collecting the clothes floating in various places.

“That Heaven Sect boy has arrived,” the State Preceptor said lazily.

“What’s he here for?”

Xu Qi An started, holding the gathered clothes in his arms as he returned behind Luo Yu Heng, gripping her small waist and pressing against her.

Luo Yu Heng kicked him away with one foot, explaining coldly while dressing in the water: “I’m not sure. I encountered him outside when I returned to my room. There’s a barrier I set up outside; he can’t see or hear anything here.”

As she spoke, she finished dressing.

The State Preceptor waved her small hand, instantly drying the moisture from her clothes.

She picked up her hairpin, tied up her black hair, and left without another word.

I feel like you’re the man and I’m the woman being used. Now you’ve entered the sage mode and discarded me like an old shoe… Xu Qi An grumbled inwardly.

In a warm room, candles blazed and charcoal fire roared.

Xu Qi An warmed two pots of wine and sat drinking with Li Ling Su.

Green Apricot Garden wasn’t particularly large or small. With its main and side courtyards combined, it had over ten yards, naturally able to accommodate Li Ling Su—as long as he could bear the emotional blow.

“What brings you to my place suddenly?” Xu Qi An sipped his wine while scrutinizing the Holy Son.

He seemed troubled, frowning with an absent-minded expression.

Even knowing that Xu Qi An and Luo Yu Heng had just finished bathing in the hot spring, he didn’t seem to care, not even feeling jealous.

Hearing Xu Qian’s question, Li Ling Su heaved a long sigh and drained his cup: “Senior, you weren’t lying to me. Master has come, and he truly intends to take me back.”

He recounted how after they parted, he returned to the inn and accidentally discovered the Heaven Sect’s contact signal, as well as overheard the conversation between Ice Majesty Yuan Jun, Li Miao Zhen, and his master Xuan Cheng Dao Lord.

“Senior, I’m his personally raised disciple, yet I never expected Master would treat me this way.” The Holy Son was overcome with grief.

Xuan Cheng Dao Lord, the Heaven Sect keeps its word… Xu Qi An inwardly praised their professionalism while outwardly maintaining a deeply sympathetic expression, asking: “Have you considered why Xuan Cheng Dao Lord would treat you this way?”

It must be my cursed charm! Li Ling Su said indignantly: “The Heaven Sect wanted me to comprehend the Supreme Forgetting of Emotions, and I formed many emotional bonds to understand ’emotion’ and transcend it. Though my method took a different path, they don’t understand me and think I’m wrong.”

“Let’s set aside right and wrong for now. There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you. You’ve attracted so many women—have you thought about their futures?” Xu Qi An asked seriously for once, reminding him: “Though jianghu folk aren’t so particular, and while many share joy and sorrow together, even more forget each other in the rivers and lakes. But most of the women still think of you, love you.”

He played with his wine cup, saying softly: “When you comprehend the Supreme Forgetting of Emotions in the future, will you discard them like old shoes?”

Don’t be too much like Luo Yu Heng, young man. Think it through.

Li Ling Su started, asking in surprise: “Senior, do you have some misunderstanding?”

“Hmm?”

Xu Qi An expressed his confusion with a nasal sound.

Li Ling Su waved his hand: “Senior, do you know that both my and Miao Zhen’s parents are Heaven Sect disciples? Though the Heaven Sect cultivates the Supreme Forgetting of Emotions, we can still marry and seek Dao partners. Because the Supreme Forgetting of Emotions isn’t about being emotionless. It’s about having emotions yet not being constrained by them, transcendently observing from above.”

“Therefore, Dao partners in our Heaven Sect are more like cultivation companions. We also engage in fish and water pleasure but don’t emphasize the attachment between men and women in the mortal world. Even the Heavenly Venerable has Dao partners.”

“So I can also have Dao partners, and Heaven Sect rules don’t limit the number. I could even bring them all back to the Heaven Sect in the future if I wanted. It’s just that I’m currently traveling the jianghu, and it wouldn’t be proper to have a group of women following me.”

“Besides, I’m still comprehending the Supreme Forgetting of Emotions. If they followed me, they would inevitably hinder me from forming new emotional bonds.”

Are you sure that the state between Heaven Sect Dao partners is what your romantic interests want? What they want is precisely the worldly attachment and the ah-ah-ooh-ooh. Xu Qi An found too many points to criticize and didn’t know where to begin.

If Heaven Sect disciples can have Dao partners, does that mean I could become Dao partners with Li Miao Zhen in the future?

A scene involuntarily appeared in Xu Qi An’s mind: Li Miao Zhen lying coldly in bed, expressionlessly saying to him:

“You have five minutes. I still need to cultivate. Hurry up, quick battle quick victory.”

Do Heaven Sect Dao partners even still have the mood for dual cultivation… Xu Qi An deeply doubted.

“Enough of this topic.”

Xu Qi An said: “Stay in the garden for now. I’ll handle your matter with Li Miao Zhen. When the time comes, you may need to make certain sacrifices.”

Li Ling Su hurriedly said, “As long as you don’t castrate me, everything is negotiable.”

*Of course, you’re a key figure in my plan…* Xu Qi An nodded. “That certainly won’t happen.”

With that, he drained his last mouthful of wine and pushed open the door.

Outside, goose-feather snow drifted down in swirling flurries.

…

In the deep of the night, snowflakes danced in the air.

A group of people wearing black cloaks arrived at Da Jiao Square and knocked on the door of the courtyard where Ji Xuan and his companions were staying.

These cloaked figures appeared bulky, and upon closer inspection, one would notice many objects concealed beneath their cloaks.

When the cold wind blew, their cloaks pressed against their bodies, revealing outlines that suggested they were wearing peculiar armor.

The imposing and robust White Tiger opened the courtyard gate, swept his gaze over the seven cloaked figures outside, and broke into a smile:

“Azure Dragon, you’ve finally arrived.”